It's Time for Action at Long-Vacant Atlantic Club Property

ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City Sixth Ward Councilman Jesse Kurtz says enough is enough when it comes to the long-vacant Atlantic Club casino, calling for state officials to take action after nearly a year of what he described as little visible progress at the deteriorating property.

Speaking on WOND's Off The Press with Scott Cronick (weekdays 4-6pm), Kurtz said the city has been largely sidelined since the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs assumed responsibility for construction code enforcement at the former casino last year.

"I think you're 100 percent right about the need for action now," Kurtz said when asked about the property's future.

The former Atlantic Club, located on the southern end of the Boardwalk, has remained vacant since closing in 2014. Over the years, developers have announced numerous redevelopment proposals, but none have come to fruition.

Kurtz said many residents have questioned why the property has been allowed to remain in its current condition.

"The state pulled the enforcement for construction code from the city and basically told the city, 'You can't do anything when it comes to this. We're going to handle it,'" Kurtz said. "The state has had it now for almost a year, and it's been crickets. It's been crickets both audibly and it's been nothing visually."

Kurtz said he has heard concerns from nearby residents and attorneys who have sought updates through city officials but have received little information.

"I do think it's time for local leadership, to the extent that we can on council, and if the mayor's up for it, I'd love to stand with him on this, to lobby the state to do their job," Kurtz said. "Whether it's this owner or any owner, you can't be exempted from the rules that everybody else has to follow."

He argued that smaller property owners would not receive the same treatment.

"If you and I had a one-bedroom home and we left it in that condition where it's falling apart and about to fall on people, we'd be fined out the wazoo and they would demolish us," Kurtz said.

Kurtz said he hopes local and state officials can work together to move the long-stalled property toward redevelopment, saying the vacant building has become both an eyesore and a missed economic opportunity for Atlantic City.